![William Fortescue, Three of a Kind, 2021](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1600,h_1600,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/redeight/images/view/dfbec79fd015bb5d04376ffb54a8c5a6/redeightgallery-william-fortescue-three-of-a-kind-2021.jpg)
William Fortescue
Frame included
35 x 48 in
Whenever someone arrives in Africa on a safari you can almost guarantee seeing a lion is top of their bucket list. For decades they have been revered as kings and queens of the savannah and a symbol of bravery, strength or courage.
Imagine everyone’s surprise therefore when, the first time they see a lion, it’s asleep. Lying in the shade of a tree, its tail occasionally flicks, a paw occasionally swats a fly from its face while on and on it sleeps. Not, perhaps, what everyone imagined?
It is scenes like this that I spend the majority of my time observing. Waiting for the rare moment where lions storm in to action and patience is rewarded. For the last three years I have been working in the Masai Mara, specifically at Governors’ Camp, where my cottage sits in the heart of the territory of a group of lions known as the ‘Marsh Pride’. They have a world renown reputation through being the focal characters in many a natural history documentary, making them amongst the most famous lions in the world.
On this particular morning, on the last safari of a six week trip, the entire pride came together; four lioness’ and their seven sub-adult cubs, strolling through the long grass in search of prey. As the first rays of sun rose above the horizon, catching the glint in their eyes, a lone topi antelope walked between them and the sunrise. It was the last sunrise it ever witnessed.
As with all images in this collection, 10% of the proceeds from this image will be split between David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Saving The Wild, my two partnered charities. It is thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals and organisations like these that I, and many others, are able to still enjoy the incredible wildlife Africa has to offer. It is imperative to me therefore, that my images are able to help them achieve their missions and amplify their message.